The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-12-17

attributed at the time to intense sym pathy. After we returned to the ho- tel he expressed a desire to see the poniard, at the same time telling me if I wonld intrust it to his care awhile he thought he might be able to iden- tify the owner.
 I gave him the dagger without thinking much about it, only that he would be able to help me.
 How we'll I remember his last words as he left me in the hall that night they were the last words he ever ad- dressed to mortal ears as well.
 Drawing me close to his loving heart he kissed me once, twice, thrice, and held me for some moments in si- lence. What his thoughts were in those, to me, sweet, happy seconds, remains secret; but I can guess all too surely now since it is all over.
 After some minutes had elapsed, he sighed deeply, painfully, and, looking down into my upturned face, he said gro be separated from you, my dar- ling, means death '"
 "But we shall not be separated only until Christmas" l made haste to re- ply, for the sound of his voice sent a keen sense of sorrow to my heart.
 He did not answer my half interrog- ative but said instead: "There are things more to be dreaded than death beside which, death is kind, little love, very kind"
 Then he kissed me passionately for the last time, and went to my room. I was conscious of his watching me all the way upstairs. As I reached the upper landing, turned and looked down. Lee was standing just where I had left him, looking after me with such hopeless, helpless yearning de- picted on his handsome face that I was tempted to go back to him, but did not.
 I remember thinking at the time what a true, tender soul he possessed to be SO moved at the recital of my sorrows, and was sorry that I had troubled him with them. I kissed my hand to him with a bright smile, meaning to cheer him; why shouldn't 1? He was all had, dear, devoted Leei
 The next morning they found him on the floor of his room with the dag ger-cruel, murderous blade-driven to the hilt in his heart.
 He left letter on his dressing ta- ble addressed to me in which he stated that had captured the murderer and he had killed him,
 "I didn't mean to murder your un- cle, my darling" he wrote, "I had been to a wine-supper and, my brain being somewhat confused in conse- quence, I mistook his residence for that of friend. He mistook me for bur- glar and clutched me; I, in my excite ment, stabbed him. Seeing what I had done fled-fled the city-know- ing that I had killed him. The dag ger was one 1 came across in pawn shop and bought, intending to carry it to my uncle who is collector of rel ics.
 "My heart is broken; and its blood may as we'll flow in further expiation of my crime. Although it is death to be separated from you, little love, you are the gainer, for you have escaped being the wife of an incorporate man and a-murdererl I believe that God has forgiven me, darling goodbye" !"
 When they told me he was dead l started toward them with wall bursting from my bloodless lips; "I am dying, toop I noaned, but I was mott and they said, "See her hair is turning white."
 After he was prepared for burial, I went to him, my handsome Leel All night I sat beside his inanimate form, stunned, dumb with the agony of a sorrow too deep for tears.
 In the morning they took him away; went back to my room and beheld my haggard face in the mirror. They were right, my raven tresses he had praised were white!
 "Alas l" said in hollow tones, "this is not I p But it was, and have lived ten long, desolate years since hunted my uncle's murderer to the death.- Yankee Blade.
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